Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is a national networking body working for building a democratic society based on the principles of free flow of information, equitable & affordable access to Information & Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) of remote & marginalized population.

BNNRC is in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. BNNRC now strives for the following core interventions to contribute in achieving 6th five Years Plan of Government of Bangladesh, UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) Action Plan, and UN Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs) through:

Right to Information (RTI) for ensuring improved livelihood of the marginalizedICT for Development for Bridging the Digital Divide in rural areas
Community Broadcasting (Community Radio & TV) for amplifying voices for the voiceless
Amateur Radio for Disaster Risk Reduction &
Community Film for Social Change
Community Radio is playing very significant role in the countries of South Asia responding to other regions of the world. Ministry of Information, People’s Republic of Bangladesh formulated Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 and Community Radio Strategy 2012.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has been struggling for the last 14 years to open up the community media (including Community Radio, Community Television) and giving focus on its vital role as voices of the voiceless rural people. The reality of today is that the bondage between the community people and local-level community radio stations are getting strengthened day-by-day. Community Radio has now become their part of life and livelihood.

BNNRC established the Community Media News Agency (CMNA) & Community Media Academy (CMA) to share development news & building capacity among the community radio stations.
The third goal of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is gender equity and women empowerment. Considering the ownership and access to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an instance, it appears transparent that gender discrimination in technological use is extensively wide in Bangladesh. Gender discrimination is much wider in broadcasting sector. As community radio is going to run in the country, if the gender issue is considered with much emphasis since the beginning, it will be possible to ensure gender equality at least in the administration, management, program and financial planning of community radio operation.
One of the objectives of publishing the very 2nd edition Gender Policy in Community Radio Stations prepared by World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) – Women International Network (WIN) Asia Pacific in Bangla with the support from PLAN Bangladesh is to create massive awareness of the government, non-government and development initiators on eliminating gender discrimination in community radio stations.
We hope the community radio initiators will follow the instruction stated in the 2nd Edition Gender Policy in Community Radio Stations and play marking role in ensuring gender equity in the broadcast sector in Bangladesh.
Be Community Radio one of the development tools for the voiceless.
We invite you to join in our STRUGGLE!
With best regards,

Bazlu
_______________________AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
[NGO in Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council]
&
Head, Community Media Academy